If traditional strawberry shortcake is your favorite summertime dessert, then hold onto your hat because a Brownie Strawberry Shortcake is now where it's at!
A homemade deeply chocolaty, deeply chewy brownie is the base for fresh strawberries and some delicious homemade whipped cream!
Everyone's favorite summertime dessert just got a huge upgrade... You're welcome!
Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How long does it take to make brownie strawberry shortcake?
- Can the brownie portion of these strawberry shortcakes be made in advance?
- The easy step-by-step instructions:
- Do the brownies need to be made in the mini cake pans?
- Can the brownies be made in a 13" x 9" cake pan also?
- What is the cooking time when using a larger pan for these brownies?
- Can the brownie portion of this recipe be frozen after baking if needed?
- Can these strawberry shortcakes be assembled in advance and kept in the refrigerator?
- How can a brownie strawberry shortcake be embellished for the summer holidays?
- Want more fresh strawberry recipes?
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- butter (I always use salted)
- pure vanilla extract
- eggs
- all-purpose flour
- cocoa powder
- baking powder
- granulated sugar
- salt
- fresh strawberries
- heavy whipping cream
- confectioners sugar
- almond extract
- fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- mini (4" round) cake pans (shown), or an 8x8 baking pan
- ice cream scoop (optional)
- large bowls
- whisk
- measuring cups and spoons
- wooden spoon or spatula
- offset spatula
- baking spray
- cooling rack
- serrated knife
- paring knife
- cutting board
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- confectioners sugar shaker (optional) or a strainer
How long does it take to make brownie strawberry shortcake?
Mixing the brownie batter it will take approximately 10 minutes.
Baking will take anywhere from 40-50 minutes depending on the pan/pans used.
Cooling time is anywhere between 45-60 minutes.
Making the homemade whipped cream will take approximately 5-7 minutes.
So all total, it will take roughly 2½ hours (cooling time included) from start to finish.
And really less than 20 minutes of "easy hands-on" time.
Can the brownie portion of these strawberry shortcakes be made in advance?
Yes! That's what I did.
I made the brownies one day, and when they were completely cooled I wrapped them well in plastic wrap to keep them fresh.
The next day I sliced the strawberries, made the whipped cream, and assembled this easy yet impressive summertime dessert.
The easy step-by-step instructions:
To make the brownies:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together melted butter (cooled slightly), and the granulated sugar.
- Add the eggs and vanilla to the egg and sugar mixture and whisk to combine.
- Pour the egg mixture into the large bowl with the flour and cocoa mixture.
- Stir to combine but don't over mix.
How to add the brownie batter to the pans:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray the baking pan or pans liberally with baking spray.
- If using the mini cake pans use a large scoop to divide the batter evenly between all pans.
- Use an offset spatula to spread the batter evenly inside the pans.
- Place the pans on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the brownies on a cooling rack for 30 minutes.
- Run a paring knife around the sides of each pan and turn the brownies out to the cooling rack to cool completely.
How to make the homemade whipped cream:
- Chill the beaters and bowl for 15-30 minutes before whipping cream.
- Add the heavy cream to the bowl and whip until soft peaks form.
- Add the ¼ cup confectioners sugar and the almond extract to the whipped cream.
- Whip an additional minute to combine.
How to assemble the brownie strawberry shortcake:
- Stem and slice the strawberries.
- Use a serrated knife to evenly slice the brownies in half.
- Spoon a generous amount of the whipped cream onto the bottom slice of the brownie.
- Generously layer the sliced strawberries onto the whipped cream.
- Top with the final layer of brownie and spoon on a dollop of whipped cream to finish.
- Sprinkle them with confectioners sugar to garnish along with fresh strawberries and mint sprigs, if desired.
Do the brownies need to be made in the mini cake pans?
No. Not at all. But they're fun, don't you think?
Feel free to bake the brownies in an 8" x 8" square baking pan if that's what you have.
What you're looking for is a thick brownie that can be equally sliced in half (horizontally) once baked to yield a top and bottom piece.
Can the brownies be made in a 13" x 9" cake pan also?
Sure.
The only thing about baking the brownies in a larger pan is that they won't be thick enough to nicely slice them in half. However, they will still taste every bit as good no matter how you slice (or don't) them.
What is the cooking time when using a larger pan for these brownies?
Please note that the thinner the layer of brownie batter in the pan before baking, the shorter the baking time will be.
A good way to tell if the brownies are done is when they pull away from the sides of the pan.
And also when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out practically clean.
Can the brownie portion of this recipe be frozen after baking if needed?
Yep! They sure can!
Wrap them well in plastic wrap and you can freeze these for up to 3 months.
Can these strawberry shortcakes be assembled in advance and kept in the refrigerator?
I suggest that you prepare the components in advance and keep those in the refrigerator, and then assemble the shortcake dessert itself shortly before serving.
I wouldn't suggest keeping the assembled shortcake in the refrigerator for longer than 30-40 minutes just to be on the safe side so they don't slide.
How can a brownie strawberry shortcake be embellished for the summer holidays?
- Add fresh blueberries along with the fresh strawberries
- Add red, white, and blue sprinkles
- Add (and light) sparklers (please use caution when serving children).
- Add mini flags to the top for garnish.
Want more fresh strawberry recipes?
*18 Fresh Strawberry Recipes from Homemade and Yummy
*Strawberry, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Basil Salad (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
"Sweet strawberries, tart sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil mingle together nicely in this sweet and savory Strawberry Basil Salad."
*Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies from Deliciously Sprinkled
*Strawberry Banana Bread (pictured below and showcased in the featured video) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
"With only one bowl and a few simple ingredients, you can have this Strawberry Banana Bread with Almond baking in the oven in no time flat!"
*Strawberry Cheesecake Mousse Parfait from In Fine Taste
*Brownie Strawberry Shortcake (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!
When you make this recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did. Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Brownie Strawberry Shortcake
Equipment
- 4" mini cake pans optional
- stand mixer optional
- hand mixer optional
- 8 x 8 baking dish optional
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks butter) butter melted and cooled slightly
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ pints fresh strawberries hulled, and sliced
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup confectioners sugar plus additional for dusting (optional)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- mint leaves for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius)
- Spray the baking pan or pans liberally with baking spray.
- In a medium bowl whisk together melted butter (cooled slightly), and the granulated sugar.
- Add the eggs and vanilla to the egg and sugar mixture and whisk to combine.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the egg mixture into the large bowl with the flour and cocoa mixture. Stir to combine but don't over mix.
- If using the mini cake pans, use a large scoop to divide the batter evenly between all 4 pans. OR spoon the batter into an 8" x 8" baking dish.
- Use an offset spatula to spread the batter evenly inside the pans.
- Place the pans (or pan) on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the brownies on a cooling rack for 30 minutes.
- Run a paring knife around the sides of each pan and turn the brownies out onto the cooling rack to cool completely.
- With a large bowl and hand mixer, (or stand mixer) chill the beaters and bowl for 15-30 minutes before whipping the cream.
- Add the heavy cream to the bowl and whip until soft peaks form.
- Add the ¼ cup confectioners sugar and the almond extract to the whipped cream. Whip an additional 30 seconds to combine.
- Once completely cooled, use a serrated knife to slice the brownies in half evenly.
- Spoon a generous amount of the whipped cream onto the bottom slice of the brownie.
- Add plenty of sliced fresh strawberries on top of the whipped cream layer.
- Top with the remaining layer of brownie and spoon on a dollop of whipped cream to finish.
- To finish, sprinkle with confectioners sugar to garnish along with fresh strawberries and mint sprigs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's delicious fresh strawberry dessert recipe for Brownie Strawberry Shortcake as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Follow me across my social media platforms and join in on the conversation: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, and my KUDOS KITCHEN AMAZON STORE
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Leave a Reply